MINNEAPOLIS - Former Illinois State linebacker Mike Zimmer was given an opportunity to earn a spot in training camp with the Minnesota Vikings and he did just that, when he was signed by the organization following a strong performance at last weekend's rookie mini camp.
When the signing was announced, media who cover the team were a bit confused as Zimmer, a 2013 ISU grad, will play for 1979 ISU graduate and Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer. The two are not related and to add to the confusion, the Vikings linebackers are coached by Adam Zimmer, the son of the head coach.
Zimmer joins the Vikings after spending the 2013 training camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Wheeling, Ill., native signed with Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois State and saw action in four preseason games with the Jaguars in 2013, recording one tackle.
A 2012 First-Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection, Zimmer finished his career tied for 13th all-time at ISU with 269 total tackles. During his senior season, Zimmer started all 13 games at middle linebacker and led the team with 127 tackles, which ranked third in the MVFC. He also added 4.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles-for-loss in his first season playing the position, while showing his versatility by punting twice for a 36.5 yard-per-punt average.
Zimmer joins former teammates Nate Palmer (Green Bay Packers), Cody White (Houston Texans), Colton Underwood (San Diego Chargers), Josh Aladenoye (Dallas Cowboys) and Shelby Harris (Oakland Raiders) on current NFL active or practice squad rosters.
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